Valley Yarns Gala Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Gala Cardigan Coat

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Gala is an oversized cardigan coat designed by Julie Turjoman. This garment is an elegant layering piece suitable for casual fall weekends or sophisticated evening wear. The cardigan features a generous A-line silhouette with drop shoulders, knee-length proportions, and a distinctive stand collar. The front panels overlap by 2 inches and close with a shawl pin rather than traditional buttons, creating a refined, minimalist aesthetic. Available in sizes XS through 5XL with finished bust measurements ranging from 36 inches to 68 inches, the Gala is designed with 6 to 8 inches of positive ease for comfortable layering.

Techniques Used

The Gala cardigan is worked using the bottom-up construction method, meaning pieces are knitted from the lower edge upward. The garment is worked flat on circular needles rather than in the round, allowing for easier shaping and stitch manipulation. All pieces are seamed together after completion using matching yarn, creating clean, finished seams. The A-line body shaping is achieved through strategic decreases worked on right-side rows. Drop shoulder construction varies by size: sizes XS through 2XL use increases to create the drop shoulders, size 3XL features straight armholes, and sizes 4XL and 5XL employ decreases to shape the armholes. The stand collar is folded double and seamed to the wrong side to provide structure and a polished finish.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern throughout the Gala is garter stitch, which creates a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges. Garter stitch is worked by knitting every row on flat needles, producing a classic, versatile fabric that showcases the yarn's natural characteristics. This stitch choice contributes to the cardigan's quick knitting time and straightforward construction suitable for advanced beginner to intermediate skill levels.

Materials and Yarn

The Gala is designed to be knitted with Valley Yarns Chester, a bulky-weight yarn composed of 30% Superfine Alpaca and 70% Highland Wool. Each skein weighs 100 grams and yields 89 yards. The yarn features a distinctive curly boucle surface that adds visual texture and interest while maintaining an airy, lightweight quality despite the bulky weight. Yarn requirements range from 7 skeins for size XS to 16 skeins for size 5XL. The sample shown is knitted in Cream. Knitters will also need matching fingering or sport weight yarn for seaming to join the pieces together seamlessly.

Needles and Notions

Circular needles in US size 10.5 (6.5 mm) are used for the main body of the cardigan, available in 16-inch and 32 to 40-inch lengths to accommodate different sections and sizes. A US size 10 (6.0 mm) circular needle measuring 16 to 24 inches is used exclusively for the stand collar. Double-pointed needles in size 10.5 are also needed for small circumference sections. Additional notions include stitch markers, locking stitch markers for tracking increases and decreases, and a tapestry needle for seaming.

Gauge and Fit

The pattern calls for a gauge of 8 stitches and 16 rows equal 4 inches in garter stitch on the larger size needles after gentle steam- or mist-blocking. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the cardigan to knit to the intended finished measurements. The Gala is intentionally designed with 6 to 8 inches of positive ease, making it an oversized, relaxed-fitting garment ideal for layering over other clothing.

Skill Level and Construction Notes

The Gala is rated as Advanced Beginner difficulty, making it accessible to knitters with some experience beyond basic techniques. The pattern requires understanding of increases, decreases, and seaming, but the straightforward garter stitch and flat construction keep the project manageable. The use of removable stitch markers is recommended to track right-side rows, increases, and decreases throughout the project. The cardigan's length reaches the top of the knee but can be extended with additional yarn if desired, offering flexibility for personal preference.